I am a stay-at-home-mom who enjoys blogging and writing reviews. I also love to do photography, which is my passion. I post about day-to-day events, health & beauty, technology, gadgets, music, film, travel, food & dining, as well as write product reviews to share with you all.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

April iPad Mania - Newest iPad & Kindle Fire Giveaway

APRIL iPAD MANIA GIVEAWAY!!!

Bay Area Mommy has teamed up with some awesome bloggers (including myself at The Art of Jennie Yuen) to bring you this amazing chance to win the two hottest tablets in the market today! We're giving away the new iPad that recently launched. you'll also have a 2nd chance for the Amazon Kindle Fire if you don't win the grand prize.

Entries will be accepted from April 1 at 12:01am EST until April 21 at 11:59pm EST. There are no mandatory entries but there are lots of ways to gain more entries to to the giveaway. The more tasks you complete, the more chances of winning!

Open worldwide. Must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for the prize. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter, Apple or Amazon. Winners will be drawn on April 22 and will have 48 hours to respond to the notification email. Kindly include alice(at)bayareamommy(dot)com to your email's whitelist to make sure that in case you are picked as the winner, the notification email would not go to your Spam folder.

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Project 366 (Year 2012): Day 91 - Mini Pentax

Day 91 of Project 366 (March 31, 2012)

Though I am a Nikon user and a Nikon fan, I just couldn't resist getting one. Got a random one from the toy vending machines at Aberdeen Mall.

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Friday, March 30, 2012

Get the Look: Rose McGowan at Valentino Flagship Store Opening

Effortless glamour recipe: one part Valentino, two parts soft and stunning makeup. Rose McGowan had the whole package at the Valentino Rodeo Drive Flagship store opening with her coral mini dress, thanks to the man of the hour and her makeup by Sarah Uslan of Luxe Beauty Team at the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon LA.

Sarah created a soft and pretty look to compliment Rose’s bright cocktail dress. Rather than focusing on heavy eye-makeup, Sarah went for light and natural eyes. Here’s how you can recreate the look:

It’s in the Eyes:

Using Lime Crime’s Eyeshadow Helper, prime the lid from the brow bone to the crease. Follow with Mac’s Paint Pot in Painterly from the crease down to the lash line. Blend the seam of the primer and the Paint Pot with Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow Brush. “To add a little highlight in the inner corner of the eyes, I swept Merle Norman Eye Shadow in Ballerina on with a crease blending brush,” says Sarah. To achieve the subtle look, Dolce & Gabbana makes the perfect eyeliner: Crayon Intense Eyeliner in Coffee. Use it to accent the lash-line without being too strong. Diorshow Mascara is the final step.

Glowing Skin and Rosey Cheeks:

Use Koh Gen Doh Aqua Foundation to keep the skin glowing. Follow with Skinn Cosmetics High Definition Cotton & Mineral Foundation in Light to achieve the flawless finish. To finish, add a pop of color to the cheeks with Illamasqua’s Powder Blusher in Tremble.

For the Lips:

Rose is the queen of lipsticks – she had the perfect lip color in her own makeup wardrobe to use for this look. Tom Ford’s Lip Color in True Coral was the winner and matched her mini dress beautifully.

About Sarah Uslan

Hello magazine referred to celebrity makeup artist, Sarah Uslan as the “makeup artist with the Midas touch.” Personally trained by Bobbi Brown, Sarah got her start when she met the world renowned artist and entrepreneur in their common hometown of Montclair, New Jersey. From Mercedes Benz-Fashion Week in New York, to QVC and the Today Show, Sarah learned fast and furiously what it meant to be a highly sought-after makeup artist. Crossing over to the other coast has not only opened the doors to an entirely new realm of makeup artistry, but the birth of a lifelong dream to start a business doing what she loves most...makeup of course. For more information visit www.luxebeautyteam.com.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

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Thursday, March 29, 2012

Scrapbooking FREEBIE: Printable Bookmarks

Make your own printable craft items and save them .jpg format for using again and again! Bookmarks make great gifts, and you can personalize them using MyMemories Suite Software!

Please note that all of these are .png files only, not MyMemories Suite Templates. They are usable in any software. I use MyMemories Suite. You can software for a discount using my code below during checkout.

My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software can be purchased from the online store. Use this special discount code when you place or order: STMMMS82838. You will receive $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software.

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A Peak into Target's Test Kitchen

Ever wanted a behind the scenes look at who’s behind our favorite food? Target’s Test Kitchen has opened its doors and given us a glimpse. Plus, they’ve shared an easy five-ingredient recipe and selected their favorite finds at Target.

Foodie Favorites of the Target Test Kitchen

The Target Test Kitchen is a design team of a different kind—they personally craft, test and taste all private label food products on Target shelves. Check out this video of the culinary crew in action. Um, where do we sign up for this delicious dream job?

Since no one knows food like a certified and self-proclaimed foodie, we asked the entire team to pick their favorite finds at Target and to share an original recipe. You might be surprised at what tantalizes their taste buds.

1. Market Pantry Fruit Snacks: These reduced-sugar snacks are a great sweet treat without all the sugar.

2. Market Pantry Pasta, Sauce and Parm Cheese: The spaghetti, tomato basal garlic pasta sauce and shredded cheese are kitchen staples that can make a full meal in minutes—see the below recipe!

3. Market Pantry Whole Grain Mac ‘n Cheese Cups: This classic childhood staple is ready in minutes and perfect for taking to work or as a healthy afterschool snack.

4. Archer Farms Pineapple Peach Salsa and Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Flax: These pair perfectly to create a snack you can feel good about.

5. Archer Farms Trail Mix: All of the Archer Farms trail mixes comes in unique flavors, like this one combining pomegranate and cocoa with almonds and dried apples. It’s not only delicious, but a good source of fiber.

6. Market Pantry Frozen Blueberries: Full of antioxidants, these frozen berries are a morphing meal maker. Use them in smoothies, on breakfast cereal, in muffins or tossed with spinach, slivered almonds and olive oil vinaigrette for a nutrient-dense salad.

7. Market Pantry Reduced Sodium Honey Turkey Deli Slices and Swiss Cheese Slices: A healthy choice for everyone—the turkey slices contain more than 40 percent less sodium compared to traditional lunchmeat, and even contain less than national brand lower-sodium lunchmeats. No wonder it’s a favorite.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Thanks to A Bullseye View. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

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Recipe: Chicken with Tarragon and White Wine

Year round, thousands of people tune in to watch Giada De Laurentiis whip up recipes on her hit Food Network shows (yes—that’s plural) and the TODAY show. Foodie fans adore her multiple bestselling cookbooks, blog and active Twitter stream, where she offers insights into the busy life of a culinary star and mom.

In her new cookbook out March 27, “Weeknights with Giada,” the Italian-born chef gives an even deeper look into her home, sharing cooking tips and easy-to-replicate dishes that take the grunt work—and guesswork—out of surviving Monday-to-Friday mayhem. In gorgeous photos, you’ll see what Giada prepares for her husband, Todd, and their adorable daughter, Jade: soups, pizzas, salads, pastas, sandwiches, desserts and hearty meals, most which can be made in just thirty minutes.

Below, Giada shares an exclusive recipe with us (her favorite!) and her family’s favorite dishes and weekday rituals.

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Was it fun opening up your home for this experience?Giada De Laurentiis: It was fun to share our weeknight repertoire and new traditions that we have created as a family—anything to make dinners easier for people during the week.

Do you have any weekly meal traditions with your family?GDL: Meatless Mondays, Breakfast for Dinner and international cuisine to change it up.

What is one recipe that makes for great leftovers?GDL: Chicken with Tarragon and White Wine—I love the way the flavors taste a day later. Sometimes I double the recipe just to make sure we will have leftovers!

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Chicken with Tarragon and White Wine

Makes 4 servings

Boneless chicken will cook faster and braising it will ensure the meat stays tender while the onion, tarragon, white wine, and mustard promise to create a super-tasty sauce. While the chicken cooks, prepare some rice, baked potatoes, pasta, or any other starch because you’ll have plenty of sauce to go around.

In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, heat the oil over high heat. Season the chicken with 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper and dust with 2 tablespoons of the flour. Cook the chicken, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside on a large plate.

Heat the same pan used for the chicken over medium-high heat. Add the onion and season with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until aromatic.

Increase the heat to high. Add the wine and scrape up the browned bits that cling to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Return the chicken pieces to the pan.

Add 2 cups of the chicken broth and ½ cup of the tarragon. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and simmer for 30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken pieces to a platter and tent with foil to keep warm.

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ¼ cup chicken broth and the remaining 2 tablespoons flour until smooth. Whisk the flour mixture into the simmering cooking juices. Whisk in the mustard. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve the sauce over the chicken and garnish with the remaining tarragon.

Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was provided info from the PR firm to share. Thanks to A Bullseye View. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.

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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Camera Ready and Sheer Glow by Manna Cosmetics

Get Glowing for Spring! Breathe fresh life into your makeup routine for silky, radiant skin with new MANNA Cosmetics. As the seasons transition, so should your makeup routine. Revive your look for spring with fun, feminine and functional products that prime skin for a glowing finish.

I was given samples of Camera Ready and Sheer Glow to try out. I was quite pleased with the results.

Camera Ready

Camera Ready is an essential makeup base that gives a matte, silky smooth finish that will keep makeup in place all day. By minimizing the appearance of fine lines and pores, this essential makeup base creates a matte, silky smooth finish that will keep makeup in place all day.

It is like a clear gel. When applied to skin, it gives a nice matte look. It made my skin appear smooth and airbrushed. I have oily skin in the T-zone, especially near the end of the day. This gel helped a lot minimizing the shine.

Sheer Glow

Sheer Glow is an incandescent liquid that lights up skin with all over radiance. Mix with foundation or wear alone to create a luminous, youthful glow. It is perfect for all skin types on face and/or body. This is an especially amazing product for mature or dry skin. This has a nice tint with some shine. The color was perfect for my skin tone and it blended right in. I could see that radiant and awaken look. It is quite a difference. I think this is my favorite product right now.

In addition to the signature line, MANNA Cosmetics offer a wide range of eye, face and lip products -- all of which come in many shades and palettes.

Beauty expert, Manna Kadar, founded MANNA Cosmetics in 2012. With a beauty career that spans over more than a decade, Manna’s background is rich with numerous professional and personal achievements. As a teenager, Manna opened a chain of cosmetics stores and added to her arsenal of beauty businesses by expanding to tanning salons and spas with the most cutting edge products and services. In January 2012, Manna launched MANNA Cosmetics, a collection of high quality, multi-functional makeup products set to revolutionize the cosmetics world as we know. MANNA Cosmetics is available online and at select retail locations in Southern California.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned products from the company/PR Company in exchange for my review. The opinions expressed in my review are my own personal and honest thoughts. No other compensation was given.

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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Protect & Rejuvenate with IO Beauty’s Beauty Booster

Get your beauty from the Inside/Out with IO Beauty’s Beauty Booster

The unique iO Beauty Booster is the first skincare product that can be used both topically, as well as a beauty ingestible to PROTECT and REJUVENATE the skin (apply the topical and digest the ingestible). Two active ingredients include Ridulisse C and Equis AV. Beauty Booster is a potent blend of antioxidants and minerals that deliver beauty benefits to your skin - inside and out.

Topical use: Mix two droplets of the Beauty Booster with two pumps of the Treatment Concentrate and apply to cleansed skin in the morning and night.

Ingestible use: Place one or two full droplets of the Beauty Booster under the tongue or add to your favorite drink every morning and at night.

Just a note that the liquid will probably stain your clothes, so be careful with the drops or bottle. After applying on my face, I felt refreshed (and smelled like berries). I also tried taking it orally. It doesn't have a bad taste. It just taste like blueberries to me.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product from the company/PR Company in exchange for my review. The opinions expressed in my review are my own personal and honest thoughts. No other compensation was given.

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Make Waves with John Frieda Styling Tools by Conair Volume Curls

For over 20 years, the John Frieda hair care experts have been defining style. Now the leader in transformational hair care has inspire a line of professional appliances to totally transform frizzy, dull, flyaway hair. Advanced ionic conditioning enhances manageability and leaves hair looking and feeling healthy, smooth and shiny. This premium curling iron features advanced ionic power, with high heat up to 400F/205C, true ceramic technology, and 11 professional digital settings.

John Frieda Loose CURLS 1¼-inch barrel

Definition & Curl

You can get wild, loose curls from a curling iron with a larger barrel such as this one. The digital settings allow you to choose the best temperature for your hair type. Use lower heat setting for fine hair, medium settings for medium hair, and the highest settings for coarse or thick hair. I have thick hair so I am using between medium and high temperature settings. I've been looking around for the best curling iron and I really love this one.

Start with dry hair. To make loose curls, start by parting your hair on the side or in the middle. Roll two-inch sections of hair halfway up the hair shaft in varying directions using this 1-1/4-inch barrel curling iron. Hold the iron in place for about 15 seconds and release. Gently brush through your curls with the John Frieda® Sleek Finish Paddle Brush. Flip your head upside down and spray hair liberally with Frizz Ease® Moisture Barrier Firm Hold Hair Spray. Flip your head back over and touch up loose curls with fingers for added definition.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product from the company/PR Company in exchange for my review. The opinions expressed in my review are my own personal and honest thoughts. No other compensation was given.

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Skinnygirl Skincare Margarita Bath Collection by Bethenny Frankel

“I wanted to develop a line that accomplishes what every woman wants for every day and night – smooth, moisturized skin with a healthy glow and lips that are kissable and soft. Affordability, convenience, effectiveness and consistency is what's most important and what Skinnygirl Face & Body is all about.” – Bethenny Frankel, Skinnygirl Creator

After reading about her, sounds like she is quite an amazing woman. I mean, she wrote her own books, has her own Skinnygirl line of cocktail mixes as well beauty products, a fitness guide/trainer, and a mother.

After Bethenny's successful creation of her Skinnygirl Margarita cocktail mixes, she launched her own Skinnygirl beauty line. I was given the opportunity to review Bethenny's Skinnygirl Skincare Margarita Bath Collection. I love the packaging and the lovely scent! Cleanse, smooth and moisturize your skin thoroughly with this margarita cocktail-inspired set. It includes body scrub, shower gel and body lotion.

WEHRE TO BUY? You can purchase Skinnygirl products at your local Walmart stores.

About Bethenny Frankel:

Bethenny Frankel has a knack for making healthy food taste delicious. That knack, which started out as a hobby and was enhanced with formal training, has elevated her to national prominence as a celebrated natural food chef, the creator of the sought-after Skinnygirl Margarita and Skinnygirl Sangria, and The New York Times best-selling author of Naturally Thin, The Skinnygirl Dish, and A Place of Yes.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product from the company/PR Company in exchange for my review. The opinions expressed in my review are my own personal and honest thoughts. No other compensation was given.